Ken Ken Puzzle Enrichment for Addition and Subtraction

Specific topic:

Solving problems using the relationship between addition and subtraction.

Key terms:

Sum, difference

Prerequisite knowledge:

How to find sums of single digit numbers.

A brief description of the "hook" or activity:

Using simple Ken Ken puzzles (interactive, on the computer), we can introduce logical rules to young children as they master the rules of addition and subtraction.

Links to worksheets, interactive widgets, etc (please be as complete as possible here):

http://illuminations.nctm.org/ActivityDetail.aspx?ID=189 has a daily puzzle, as well as an introductory video.

Notes on using this lesson / suggested assessment / etc:

The teacher should at first guide the students to doing a very simple one (4 by 4, involving only addition), and then let them try one in pairs. Eventually, the students should try to work this into a weekly routine in which they try to solve a 4 by 4 Ken Ken puzzle on their own. Once the students are confident with both sums and differences, then the teacher can introduce the more difficult 4 by 4 puzzles that have two different operations (+ and -).

This is a great tool to use to differentiate for your top learners! You can keep pushing them along to doing daily puzzles, in order to sharpen their logical thinking skills.

Credit sources, if any:

NCTM illuminations.